Might Ryan Miller and the Ducks be finally meeting at the intersection of rumor and reality?

Even when Miller signed as a free agent with Vancouver and spent the last three seasons with the Canucks, the feeling has long been that the veteran goaltender eventually would find his way to Southern California.

It didn’t happen in a trade, but Miller again has the ability to pick a landing spot if a comfortable one exists. The Ducks seem to be providing that, as they’re on the lookout for a netminder who not only can spell John Gibson but also give the young No. 1 goalie someone to emulate.

Free agency opens Saturday, and Miller is among the remaining goalies who could be playing musical chairs. Steve Mason and Brian Elliott are other available established veterans who have held the net for lengthy stretches with various teams, though Elliott appears headed to Philadelphia.

Jonathan Bernier gave the Ducks some solid if not impressive work on occasion in a comeback season, but it ended with a thud in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. But the Ducks are moving on, wanting a backup with a better resume who has been a legitimate No. 1 option. Miller offers that.

At 36, Miller is no longer at the elite level after starring in the 2010 Winter Olympics, winning the Vezina Trophy later that spring for Buffalo and often putting the Sabres on his shoulder for parts of 10 seasons. But he did put up a credible .914 save percentage with three shutouts for a bad Vancouver team in 2016-17.

The Ducks are very much interested in bringing him in for at least a season. A report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggests that Miller may be open to a $1 million deal for 2017-18, which would be a sharp salary haircut. They won’t pay their next goalie what they shelled out for Bernier.

But that could be a motivational carrot for Miller in seeking a bigger contract in 2018-19. Miller has long been rumored to eye the Ducks or Kings as he lives here in the offseason with his wife, actress Noureen DeWulf, and their son.

Speculation at last season’s trade deadline had him headed for L.A. with Jonathan Quick coming off a significant groin injury, but the Kings traded for the younger Ben Bishop instead.

The Ducks are a bit more flexible these days as the shedding of contracts to defensemen Simon Despres and Clayton Stoner, along with the rise of the salary cap to $75 million, leave them with about $5.5 million available, according to CapFriendly.com.

But that doesn’t leave them much to bid on big-money free agents, especially when it isn’t a great class of them. Re-signing Patrick Eaves to a three-year, $9.45 million extension might be that big signing, as well as an expected huge eight-year extension for defenseman Cam Fowler. Multiple sources tell the Southern California News Group that the two sides are closing in, with an increasing chance Fowler signs Saturday on the first day he is eligible to do so. The amount is not known but Fowler forgoing unrestricted free agency next summer will remove a potential headache for Ducks GM Bob Murray.

Who’s gone?

Bernier: He is off to free agency after one season, in which he went 21-7-4 record and 2.50 goals-against average. Philadelphia seemed to be a destination, because he has a connection with GM Ron Hextall, but the Flyers have reportedly signed Elliott.

Nate Thompson: The versatile grinder had two injury-riddled seasons but has shown to be a playoff perfomer. He is well-liked in the dressing room but the Ducks can use his $1.6 million salary cap space.

Jhonas Enroth: Picked up as insurance in case either Gibson or Bernier went down with an injury, Enroth found his game again with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls and will look for an NHL backup job or a gig overseas.

What do they need?

The Ducks are looking to replace Bernier with someone they believe can hold the net for long stretches or win playoff games in case the oft-injured Gibson is sidelined again. If they leave Rickard Rakell on left wing, that reduces the need at that position, but they still can use one more proven finisher. A depth center might be on their checklist with Ryan Kesler likely unavailable for the start of the season.

Who do they want?

Ryan Miller: It seems clear that he’s atop their wish list. His presence and dedication to his craft might show Gibson what it takes to be an elite No. 1. Miller isn’t that anymore, but he can win games behind a good defense.

Patrick Marleau: The Ducks have been rumored to show a lot of interest in the San Jose fixture. Marleau has scored 30 times in 108 games against them. He’ll be 38 in September but still has his wheels and hands, scoring 27 times last season.

Who could they get?

Miller is the likely choice, provided he’s willing to accept a big cut from the $6 million he made per season in Vancouver. The signals are that he is, given his family situation and the desire to be regularly closer to them.

Marleau is more of a long shot as there appears to be significant interest in many corners. The Ducks don’t figure to want to commit to three years, which he is believed to be seeking. And while a Nick Bonino reunion might be nice, don’t count on it.